Subject: Arrow spider and goldenrod Location: Troy, VA September 18, 2016 12:22 pm Hi Daniel, I’m trying hard not to inudate you with photos, but I thought you might like this image of an arrow spider by some goldenrod. While the spider is not using the goldenrod as direct source of food, it is nicely camouflaged by the goldenrod and seems to be using it as a way to hunt insects that do feed on the goldenrod. The yellow of the spider and the yellow of the goldenrod are remarkably similar. Also, it’s such a cool little spider. Signature: Grace Pedalino

Arrowshaped Micrathena

Dear Grace, One couldn’t help but to disagree more with your belief that this Arrowshaped Micrathena “is not using the goldenrod as a direct source of food” because though it is not eating the goldenrod, it is eating the insects that are attracted to the goldenrod. While Arrowhead Micrathenas would survive without the goldenrod, we believe that they and other orbweavers as well as carnivorous insects including preying mantids thrive in a goldenrod meadow. This is a marvelous addition to our Goldenrod Meadow tag and we agree heartily that the coloration of the Arrowshaped Micrathena is perfect with the goldenrod. Here is a nice BugGuide image of an Arrowhead Micrathena. We forgot that we had a 10 Most Beautiful Spiders tag, and we are adding your Arrowhead Micrathena to that tag.

Subject: Six Spotted Fishing Spider Location: Mims, FL March 1, 2013 5:51 pm After a night of hunting alligators in Florida my husband found this spider while cleaning out the boat. He was so enamoured of it’s beauty he took this picture, he said it looked like velvet. We don’t have spiders like this (that I know of) in Montana. 🙂 We were watching a show on Africa last night and they showed a Fishing Spider – I immediately recognized it. Signature: Kirsten Brown

Unusual Orb Weaver from Ecuador Location: Ecuador January 24, 2013 Hi Daniel. I haven’t posted anything in a while so I thought it might be time. When it comes to ‘bugs’ you may have gathered that I have a particular fondness for the unique and unusual. So I am sending photos of my two favorite finds from a recent trip to the Ecuadorian Amazon (the second to follow shortly). This one is a tiny, rare and undeniably cute Orb Weaver spider called Encyosaccus sexmaculatus (Araneidae: Araneidaeincertae). The genus has only one described species and is native to the upper Amazon basin in Ecuador, Peru and Brazil. The bright colors suggest a warning (aposematic coloration). I haven’t found anything to suggest that they are particularly poisonous, so perhaps they are toxic or distasteful, or they may be mimicking something else that is. Regards. Karl

Orbweaver: Encyosaccus sexmaculatus

Hi Karl, Thanks for sending us this positively gorgeous Orbweaver for our archives. We found a few photos online, including this image from Arachnoboards.

Subject: Commonly found spider Location: Eastern Mediterranea,Agean Sea,Islands October 9, 2012 3:43 pm What kind of spider is this one? I encounter them everywhere, even in my house.They usually make a small web on the corners of walls and hide in there. Signature: bs122

Huntsman Spider

Dear bs122, You neglected to tell us the size of this beautiful creature, and we are guessing it is at least 4-5 centimeters across. It is some species of Huntsman Spider or Giant Crab Spider, and we will try to do additional research. We are also guessing you are on a Greek island.

Update: October 14, 2012 We believe we have correctly identified this Huntsman spider as Eusparassus walckenaeri based on this photo posted to the Crab Spiders website and this photo from the Forum Natura Mediterraneo site.

Hi Thomas, The most definite way to properly identify this Orbweaver is by its scientific binomial, Argiope aurantia, however that name is too ponderous for many, so common names are often utilized for convenience. The problem is that there are a variety of common names and some of those names also refer to other species. Common names for Argiope aurantia include Golden Orbweaver, Yellow Garden Spider, Yellow Garden Orbweaver, Writing Spider, Black & Yellow Argiope, Black & Yellow Orbweaver, and perhaps a host of other names that are highly localized.

Subject: Is this a fishing spider? Location: Plains GA, Southwest GA July 28, 2012 1:01 pm I was cleaning out a tool shed and this little spider came running out from under some car ramps I picked up. Gave me quit the startle as s/he is very fast. It can also jump somewhere between 1 to 2 feet from what I witnessed. It was about 3 inches long and 2 inches wide. Could you confirm this is fishing spider? If so, what do they eat and such? Signature: Thanks, Anthony

White Banded Fishing Spider

Hi Anthony, While we find all Fishing Spiders beautiful, the White Banded Fishing Spider, Dolomedes albineus, like the individual in your photograph, is the one we personally find the most beautiful. Fishing Spiders will eat insects, other spiders and small vertebrates if they can catch them. Those species that are found close to water are capable of catching small fish, tadpoles and other aquatic creatures. The White Banded Fishing Spider is not one of the species that is typically found close to water. BugGuide provides very little specific information on the White Banded Fishing Spider.